Tips For Preventing the Flu From Hunterdon Medical Center
Published February 22, 2008
With every "cold" season comes the arrival of the germ most people fear: Influenza. What makes the flu different from other viruses is its relative severity. Normal symptoms include a fever, severe cough, cold, sore throat and aches. It can be disabling for many days. Fortunately most people recover after a brief period of misery. Those at high risk, which includes children under the age of three, people with chronic health problems and people over the age of 65, may become seriously ill if they develop the flu. The flu vaccine remains the best way for individuals to protect themselves.
The following are a few to avoid getting the flu this season:
- Avoid infected individuals. People with influenza should avoid other people, especially those who are high risk. Infected individuals remain contagious for about seven days. Avoid people at this time, when possible.
- Wash your hands often. Hand washing remains the most sensible way to help prevent the spread of the disease. Soap and water or an alcohol-based cleaner is known to prevent the spread of the flu virus or other germs. We all rub our noses and eyes at times, allowing easy entrance of the virus into our bodies. Children in particular are prone to this behavior, so encouraging hand washing is important.
- Medications do exist to prevent people getting the flu. These medications can also be used to treat the flu if started in the first 24 to 48 hours when symptoms occur. These medications come in both oral and nasal spray and there are some age limitations. For example, these medications are not usually administered to children less than one year of age. As with the vaccine, it is important to consider use of these medications in groups who are at higher risk for complications.
The community should be reminded that, unlike antibacterial medicines, these antivirals only lessen the severity and duration of the illness, and are not a quick cure. Speak to your doctor about whether one of these medications might be useful if you have been exposed to the flu or have symptoms that resemble the flu.